Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
Volume 55, Issue 6 , Pages 1014-1023, December 2006

The importance of dual 5α-reductase inhibition in the treatment of male pattern hair loss: Results of a randomized placebo-controlled study of dutasteride versus finasteride

  • Elise A. Olsen, MD

      Affiliations

    • From Duke University Medical Center, Durham
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint requests: Elise A. Olsen, MD, Box 3294, Durham, NC 27710.
    • ,
  • Maria Hordinsky, MD

      Affiliations

    • Fairview University Medical Center, Minneapolis
    • ,
  • David Whiting, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Baylor Hair Research and Treatment Center, Dallas
    • ,
  • Dow Stough, MD

      Affiliations

    • The Stough Clinic, Hot Springs
    • ,
  • Stuart Hobbs, PharmD

      Affiliations

    • Clinical Development, GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park
    • ,
  • Melissa L. Ellis, PharmD

      Affiliations

    • Clinical Development, GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park
    • ,
  • Timothy Wilson, MS

      Affiliations

    • Clinical Development, GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park
    • ,
  • Roger S. Rittmaster, MD

      Affiliations

    • Clinical Development, GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park
    • ,
  • for the Dutasteride Alopecia Research Team

      Affiliations

    • The Dutasteride Alopecia Research Team includes W. Bergfeld, Z. Draelos, F. E. Dunlap, T. Funicella, S. Kempers, A. W. Lucky, D. J. Piacquadio, V. Price, J. L. Roberts, R. C. Savin, J. S. Shavin, L. Stein, D. Thiboutot, E. Tschen, G. F. Webster, and G. D. Weinstein.

Durham and Research Triangle Park, North Carolina; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Dallas, Texas; and Hot Springs, Arkansas

Background

Male pattern hair loss (MPHL) is a potentially reversible condition in which dihydrotestosterone is an important etiologic factor.

Objective

Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of the type 1 and 2 5α-reductase inhibitor dutasteride in men with MPHL.

Methods

Four hundred sixteen men, 21 to 45 years old, were randomized to receive dutasteride 0.05, 0.1, 0.5 or 2.5 mg, finasteride 5 mg, or placebo daily for 24 weeks.

Results

Dutasteride increased target area hair count versus placebo in a dose-dependent fashion and dutasteride 2.5 mg was superior to finasteride at 12 and 24 weeks. Expert panel photographic review and investigator assessment of hair growth confirmed these results. Scalp and serum dihydrotestosterone levels decreased, and testosterone levels increased, in a dose-dependent fashion with dutasteride.

Limitations

The study was limited to 24 weeks.

Conclusion

Dutasteride increases scalp hair growth in men with MPHL. Type 1 and type 2 5α-reductase may be important in the pathogenesis and treatment of MPHL.

Abbreviations used: BPH, benign prostatic hyperplasia, DHT, dihydrotestosterone, MPHL, male pattern hair loss, PHL, pattern hair loss

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 31.50 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

 Supported by GlaxoSmithKline.Disclosure: Drs Olsen, Hordinsky, Whiting, and Stough as well as the Dutasteride Alopecia Resarch Team all received study grant support from GSK; Drs Olsen, Hordinsky, Stough, and Whiting served as consultants to GSK during the conduct of the study; Stuart Hobbs, Melissa Ellis, Timothy Wilson, and Roger Rittmaster are employees of GSK.

PII: S0190-9622(06)01287-4

doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2006.05.007

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
Volume 55, Issue 6 , Pages 1014-1023, December 2006

Article Tools

* Image Usage & Resolution